19. The Time of the Inquisition Officer
The [Street of the Gods] in Merlin Port was somewhat biased. The grand cathedral on the central avenue belonged to McLaren, while the temples for other gods were located on the outskirts. One could easily gauge the influence of the McLaren Church in Merlin Port.
The blue sky, clear air, and salty sea breeze were refreshing. It felt like last night’s commotion was a lie. Fernandez pushed open the door of the McLaren Cathedral and pondered.
Merlin Port was now caught in a three-way struggle between the McLaren Cathedral, the Bronze Scales, and the ancient lich Gian-Kel, slowly succumbing to chaos.
From the outside, the city seemed to function normally, but the sight of werewolves committing murders every night and night watchmen and guards fleeing upon hearing screams was anything but normal.
‘Why on earth haven’t they requested an inquisition?’
This was truly strange. The authority to conduct heresy investigations in the Temple of the Gods lay with the Vaitas Church.
Despite being within arm’s reach of the Inquisition Office, the McLaren Cathedral in Merlin Port had not conducted any heresy investigations.
“Ah, Brother. The mass time has passed, but…”
A McLaren priest approached and spoke to him. Fernandez raised the holy relic of Vaitas.
“Magto Superlaudo. Brother. I wish to meet with His Excellency the Bishop.”
“Hmm…? A priest of Vaitas?”
“I am Angelo, the Diemonica Inquisition Officer.”
“Inquisition… Officer? Are you here for military support?”
“Depending on the situation.”
The priest seemed to be seeing an Inquisition Officer for the first time. He told Fernandez to wait and hurriedly left, looking pale.
Soon, Fernandez was granted a private audience with the Bishop of Merlin Port. The Bishop’s audience chamber was extravagantly luxurious.
McLaren’s doctrine was far from frugality, placing significant value on worldly wealth.
McLaren, the god of [Gold], [Sea], [Commerce], and [Fishing]. In port cities serving as trade hubs, they boasted immense influence.
Thanks to their shocking doctrine that even considered bribery as part of commerce, they enjoyed substantial support from merchants.
After all, they promised salvation to those who paid enough.
Thus, even the Bishop’s crimson robe was made of luxurious Eastern silk. The Bishop of Merlin Port sat with his arms crossed, observing Fernandez.
“Is there something on my face?”
“You, are you really Diemonica?”
“…? Yes?”
The Bishop casually spoke and sipped his black tea.
“You look like Diemonica, but… why are you skinnier than a Heretic?”
“…”
Though the question was sudden, it was filled with sarcasm. As Fernandez silently sat, the Bishop chuckled and spoke.
“So, why have you come to this cathedral, Inquisition Officer?”
“I request cooperation in the investigation.”
“Werewolves? My guards told me that last night, a corpse with its throat slit was found.”
“I wasn’t dispatched to this city for just one lycanthrope patient, Your Excellency. The aura of heresy is strong in this city.”
As Fernandez spoke, the Bishop’s eyes sharpened.
“How dare you speak such words in my diocese?”
“Dare? Your Excellency, the Inquisition Officers of Vaitas hold authority equivalent to that of a Bishop.”
Fernandez pushed the black tea aside and slowly placed his clenched fist on the table.
“This is a formal request. The right to exorcise, the judicial authority of the Inquisition, and the license to execute heretics. I will exercise the authority granted by the Temple of the Gods.”
“I refuse.”
The Bishop sank deeply into his chair. His robe crumpled against the soft cushions of the sofa.
“Even if Paul IV himself requested it, I would say the same. Show me evidence, not just circumstances. A heresy trial! Have you considered the immense damage it would cause to McLaren’s commerce?”
“Judging heresy by worldly standards?”
What on earth is this damn Bishop saying? Fernandez was taken aback.
“Let’s say the donations from the merchants fatten the cathedral. But if the merchants and the faithful grow disappointed, won’t heresy seep through the cracks?”
“Are you saying we should ignore the evil at hand for fear of a possible evil?”
“For example, let’s say.”
The Bishop chuckled and took a sip of his tea.
“Look. To request the cathedral’s forces and the city’s military from me, evidence is naturally required, isn’t it? All you’ve told me is that ‘there’s a smell of heresy’!”
The Bishop leaned closer to Fernandez. A faint, familiar, sweet scent emanated from him.
“What heresy have you identified?”
“The Bronze Scales. A cult led by Dale Pertas. And the ancient lich. These are the major heresies infiltrating this city.”
“Oh… An ancient lich, you say…”
Fernandez slowly reached into his pocket. He felt the censer in his hand. The longsword…? He had left it at the cathedral entrance.
“Are you saying the ancient lich is behind the werewolf incidents in Merlin Port?”
“…Why do you think that…?”
“We’re deliberately leaving the Bronze Scales alone. It’s not yet time to stir them up.”
The distance from the Bishop’s audience chamber to the main hall was 10 meters. Crossing the main hall to the entrance was 25 meters. If he ran at full speed…
“Inquisition Officer Angelo. Where is the attendant who came with you?”
“…I came alone.”
The Bishop chuckled and traced the rim of his teacup with his index finger. His bony, twisted finger was thin and gnarled.
“That catfolk woman who left the inn you’re staying at this morning, where did she go?”
Upon hearing this, Fernandez shot up from his seat. The Bishop continued to smile. His eyes glinted with a cold, blue light.
“The tea was good, Your Excellency. I’ll send a reply through the Church.”
Fernandez slowly rose and headed for the door.
